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bbc.co.uk
Trump hails 'historic' deal for US to control 65bn barrels of Venezuela's oil
Venezuelan interim president says the unusual agreement will help revive her country's economy.
cnbc.com
Op-ed: Dolly Parton was underestimated for decades. That became one of her greatest strengths
In a candid 2015 interview, Dolly Parton told CNBC's Tania Bryer about depression, ambition and the business decisions that defined her career.
cnbc.com
K, C or E? Why economists can’t agree on the shape of today’s economy
Economists have long viewed the post-pandemic economy as "K"-shaped. That consensus has now evaporated.
theguardian.com
A love letter to the o80, the retiring behemoth that takes Qantas travellers back in time | Nick Visser
Quiet cabins, spacious configurations and those hallowed stairs: the Airbus superjumbo has become a favourite of many travellers ? and will be missedFollow our Australia news live blog for latest updatesGet our breaking news email, free app or daily news podcastI was late to the o80 party.It took a move to Australia from the US, a passport itching for some stamps and a steady stream of family Christmases back home before I boarded one of Airbus?s double-decker behemoths a decade ago. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tennessee governor says he backs airport name change to honor Dolly Parton
Bill Lee says he favors proposal to rename Nashville’s international airport after legendary country singerBill Lee, the Tennessee governor, on Friday said he favored a proposal to rename Nashville’s international airport after legendary country singer Dolly Parton, who died three days earlier at age 80.In a statement, Lee said he and the managers of the airport in Tennessee’s capital city – where Parton resided – wanted to create “a lasting tribute to her indelible legacy and the generations of people she inspired”. He said he had spoken previously to the 11-time Grammy winner and her team, who were “touched by the idea”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Tech backlash reaches fever pitch as AI angst collides with social media fears
With data center concerns becoming a major election issue and Meta reaching a landmark settlement in a social media case, the tech backlash is gaining steam.
cnbc.com
OpenAI to end model access to Cursor after acquisition by Elon Musk's SpaceX
OpenAI plans to end model access through Cursor on Nov. 12, citing concerns after SpaceX’s $60 billion acquisition of the coding startup.
bbc.co.uk
Fundraiser launched to secure crafting shop future
"We don't want to give up, we want to keep making this work," say the owners.
theguardian.com
‘It gives Shein’: how did polyester become the world’s most-hated material?
Due to its ubiquity in fast fashion, gen Z are pushing back against the synthetic material and using it as an insultIn 2015, Kate Moss called an easyJet pilot a “basic bitch” and a catchy new insult meaning obvious and uncool hit the mainstream. Had it happened in 2026, Moss might have used the word “polyester”, reportedly gen Z’s new favorite diss, levied at cheap-looking videos on TikTok, and sometimes at other users’ taste.But its use as a figurative insult also echoes a literal backlash against polyester, now the most-produced synthetic fibre on the planet. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Iran trade falls as Supreme Leader Khamenei urges less reliance on the U.S. dollar
Iran's president says sanctions are hitting imports and exports, as its supreme leader urges less reliance on the U.S. dollar.
theguardian.com
‘If it’s made in the US, I don’t buy it’: Canadians on boycotting Trump’s America
Avoiding US goods and services – from tech to whisky to air travel – has forced many to find a new way of livingFor William McDonald, 38, a diesel mechanic from Thunder Bay, Ontario, “Canadian is always the first choice,” even if it means his weekly bills are higher.“As soon as Trump started putting those tariffs on in February [last year], I started boycotting US goods,” he said. “Avoiding American products has driven my costs up, and I’m still happy to do it. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Inept, incompetent, craven’: Scott Bessent struggles to clean up the president’s mess
There’s little optimism about treasury secretary’s ability to handle Trump’s tariffs, Iran sanctions and colossal US debtHistory remembers Gen Dwight Eisenhower, the supreme commander of the allied forces in Europe during the second world war, for his role in the D-day invasion of Normandy. Whether Scott Bessent will achieve similar posterity as the face of the “economic D-day” in Iran remains to be seen.The US treasury secretary, already trying to manage a $40tn national debt pile, this week took charge of Donald Trump’s effort to reverse-engineer his war of choice. Whereas the US would typically take on an adversary with diplomacy, sanctions and military force, in that order, the US president started with a six-month bombing campaign and now hopes that economic isolation can finish the job. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘I’ve £80k in the account, here’s my pin’: turning the tables on the scammers
Plagued by bank impersonation scams, one Guardian Money reader got even by stringing the fraudsters along … for hours“A couple of Sundays ago at just past 11am my mobile rang. An automated message purported to be from Barclays Bank, querying a payment to Argos for more than £1,000. Not only had I not made a payment to Argos recently, nor do I bank with Barclays.I am plagued with these kinds of calls. Usually, when possible, I make it clear to the scammers that I know their game. Usually, that call ends there and then. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Barber offers free back-to-school haircuts
Guildford barber Sid Gumbrell says he wants to give back and help parents with the cost of living.
theguardian.com
Remaking the biscuit: from Doritos to digestives, why the UK’s snacks are being ‘reformulated’
Healthy eating rules are forcing brands to recook their recipes. Are consumers noticing the difference?Bite into a Ritz cracker today and you’re eating 80% less saturated fat than you would have been just a few years ago. The biscuit looks and snaps the same, and tastes close enough that most buyers have no idea they’re eating a new recipe.One of the biggest changes was swapping palm oil for sunflower oil, but there was much more to it than that. The reformulation took years to perfect in a laboratory, where scientists tested everything from density to how the cracker responds to heat, moisture and packaging. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Tax promises, defence targets and Iran: Andy Burnham’s budget headaches
As economic circumstances worsen, the PM’s commitments have left him and the chancellor in a tight spotWhen Andy Burnham made his first speech after returning as an MP, he promised that as prime minister he would oversee “the most significant change moment in our politics for 40 years”. His style, direction and communication has been a big shift from Keir Starmer’s approach, but as he heads into the autumn, the new prime minister faces some very similar problems.With an early budget in late October, and worsening economic circumstances, Burnham has made promises and commitments that put him in a tight spot. Here are some of the constraints over the coming months that Burnham and the chancellor, John Healey, must contend with in their autumn budget. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How to make a bestseller: insiders reveal the tricks of the book trade
From cover design to shelf placement and influencer partnerships … how publishers will persuade you to buy their books this autumnThink about the last book you bought. How did you choose it? Was it from a recommendation, a review, a TikTok video? Did the cover grab you, were you swayed by the quotes on the front, or did you just happen to spot it on an appealing table as you walked into the shop? Did you think about all the nudges that led you to that decision – by the publisher, the bookseller or that person you follow on Insta?The reality is that our reading choices are directed and massaged at every turn. “It’s all about the art of persuasion,” says Philip Gwyn Jones, who was a publisher for more than 30 years and is now a literary agent. And who are the persuaders? They’re the booksellers, the supermarket stock buyers, the publishing houses and their ranks of marketers and publicists. And, more recently, persuasion often comes from BookTokers and online influencers, social media videos, podcasts and Instagram posts. How is all this changing publishing? Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Households could save up to £173 a year by switching to fixed energy deal
Moving tariffs will cushion the blow from the October price cap rise and the increase widely predicted for JanuaryWith higher energy bills looming and warnings of worse to come in the new year, many households could save up to £173 a year by switching to a fixed deal.Millions of households in Great Britain will face the highest energy charges in three years after it was announced that the government’s price cap will rise again in October. This will be the second increase in three months. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
UK risks falling behind in AI race without faster telecoms upgrades, say executives
Planning delays and slow 5G upgrades could leave the UK unable to cope with a surge in AI-related traffic The UK risks becoming a laggard in the global AI race as crucial telecoms upgrades to harness the technology fall behind rival nations, according to senior industry executives.The infrastructure AI race has centred on the need to build datacentres, and to ensure they have access to the huge water and energy supplies required to cool and supply the computational power to train and run AI models. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Sovereignty, farming and fishing: Iceland votes on its future with the EU
Country holds a knife-edge referendum that cuts across political divides on taking step closer to Brussels after Trump threats towards GreenlandFor a long time, the prospect of becoming the third generation to run his family farm was an exciting one, says Davíð Clausen Pétursson.Icelandic farmers were starting to get higher prices for their meat and milk, debt was no longer an occupational prerequisite and innovation was on the rise. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
‘Winter panic’: EU gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years
As one of Europe’s biggest consumers of gas the UK may be particularly exposed to heightened price volatilityEurope is on course to enter the cooler months with gas stores at their lowest level in 13 years, which has triggered “winter panic” among energy traders, experts have warned.The EU’s gas stocks were 63% full in the last week of August, well below the 80% average for late August over recent years and among the lowest levels ever recorded for this time of year. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Faster, higher, funnier: what we learned from China’s robot games
Five-day showcase reveals leaps Beijing has made in humanoid tech, but also its limitations as US rivals come up from the rearWith exploding pelvises, enough comic pratfalls for a Buster Keaton show reel and the odd moment of ruthless violence, the World Humanoid Robot Games in Beijing gripped the world this week with an unsettling mixture of hilarity, trepidation and relief.The five-day showcase staked out China’s claim to undisputed leadership in humanoid robotics as android martial artists landed knockout roundhouse kicks and robot teams marched into the arena heralded by flag-waving captains astride giant robotic dogs. The games’ blue-riband event, the 100m, did not disappoint when the robot-sprinters ran quicker than Usain Bolt before slamming mindlessly into a padded wall in a blaze of sparks, flames and flying mechanical limbs. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Meta’s $18 billion settlement puts TikTok and YouTube on notice. Who's next on the firing line?
"Meta is seeking to ensure its competitors will face the same rules," one business professor told CNBC after Meta called on rivals to protect children online.
cnbc.com
U.S. appeals court rules against prediction markets, sets up likely fight at Supreme Court
The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that sports-related event contracts are not swaps, contradicting a 3rd Circuit ruling from April.
cnbc.com
Trump announces deal with Venezuela to secure more than 65 billion barrels of oil reserves
The U.S. struck a deal with Venezuela to get majority control of more than 65 billion barrels of oil reserves, Trump said in a social media post.
theguardian.com
Trump announces new US oil agreement with Venezuela
US president says US will have ‘majority’ control of 65bn barrels of proven oil reservesDonald Trump announced Friday a new US oil agreement with Venezuela’s interim president Delcy Rodríguez, saying the US will have “majority” control of 65bn barrels of proven oil reserves.The terms of the agreement remain to be seen, but the US president said on his social-media platform that it had been brokered “through a partnership with private business” by his secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and defense secretary, Pete Hegseth. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Trump loses bid to transfer New York hush money case to federal court
Trump's conviction in the hush money case relates to conduct that preceded the 2016 presidential election, which led to his first term in the White House.
cnbc.com
CEO of buy now, pay later giant Affirm says high gas prices are hitting U.S. shoppers
The national average price for gas is at $4.09 per gallon and was last below $3 on March 2.
cnbc.com
2-year Treasury yield jumps as Warsh says Fed may 'have work to do'
Investors assessed Federal Reserve Chair Kevin Warsh's hawkish message in his keynote address at Jackson Hole.
cnbc.com
Corn and wheat prices jump to highest prices in more than three years
Corn and wheat futures have surged to their highest levels in more than three years. But the reasons for these recent rallies are notably different.
cnbc.com
Apple hikes subscription prices for Apple TV and Apple One in the U.S.
Apple raised prices for Apple Music by $1 per month in July, citing licensing costs.
cnbc.com
Treasury moves to sanction UAE branch of Egyptian bank over Iran ties
Banque Misr UAE processed about $1.8 billion over two years for some 100 companies that are potentially part of Iran's shadow banking network, Treasury said.
bbc.co.uk
Wife of man who died after turbulence sues airline
Lawyers for Linda Kitchen say her husband was "fatally injured" after the flight dropped 6,000 ft.
cnbc.com
Analysis: Kevin Warsh sharpens inflation warning at Jackson Hole, signaling possible rate hike
After confusing markets at his July news conference, Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh used Jackson Hole to give a clearer view of the case for higher interest rates.
bbc.co.uk
Gatwick Airport faced water outage after main burst
SES Water says it has repaired a burst main which was affecting supply to the airport.
theguardian.com
London Science Museum cuts links with BP after decades of partnership
Campaigners say ‘seismic shift’ follows years of pressure to sever ties with oil and gas firmThe London Science Museum has ended its decades-long partnership with the oil and gas company BP in what has been described as a “seismic shift” for the museum.The Science Museum Group academy, which was established in 2018 to provide training and resources, announced on Friday that it would be ending its partnership with BP. In a statement, the director and chief executive of the Science Museum Group, Sir Ian Blatchford, said the partnership had “drawn to a close at the end of the current contract term”. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The Guardian view on political donations: Labour should curb the power of big money | Editorial
Before becoming prime minister, Andy Burnham favoured a £500,000 donations cap. In office, he’s backing away. That is a mistakeOn the campaign trail in Makerfield, Andy Burnham told a democracy activist that he favoured a political donations cap of around £500,000 and wanted it reduced over time. His government is now resisting amendments that would move in precisely that direction. Mr Burnham was right in May. He is wrong now. It is difficult to argue that restricting a single person to giving half a million pounds a year to a political party would damage democracy. Such a cap would only affect the mega-rich. Reducing the cap would force parties to wean themselves off the present regime that allows the rich too much say.There are two contra arguments swilling around Labour. The first is that there should be room for wealthy, progressive donors – whose cash helps rebut claims that Labour is in the pocket of the trade unions. The second is the warning from unions that a cap could undermine their ability to contribute to the Labour party.Do you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'A lot of pressure' - SSE Airtricity to increase gas prices by 19%
The annual gas bill of a typical household in the greater Belfast and west gas network areas will increase by almost £172.
theguardian.com
An $18bn settlement – and Zuckerberg barely blinked. The tech titans must be stripped of their power, and soon | Jonathan Freedland
Those who said Meta harms children struck a blow, but the ability of big tech to gouge profits and cause harm is barely diminished. That’s the battle to comeFollow the money. If you want to know how the tech giant Meta really feels about the $18bn it agreed to fork out to end a landmark lawsuit against it – an outcome widely hailed as a victory for campaigners – just look at its share price. It didn’t go down when word came on Wednesday that Meta had settled with the 29 US states that had argued that the company’s Facebook and Instagram platforms harmed children. On the contrary, Meta stock went up, initially surging by 5%, before levelling out at a gain of just over 1.25%. There could be no clearer proof that the money men reckon Meta dodged a bullet.To be sure, there was plenty to hearten those who have long believed that social media damages teenagers especially, whether by exposing them to content they shouldn’t see or by sapping their self-esteem, offering them filters that show how much prettier they would look if they had cosmetic surgery or giving them a metric of their popularity – and unpopularity – in the form of a running tally of “likes” and views.Jonathan Freedland is a Guardian columnistDo you have an opinion on the issues raised in this article? If you would like to submit a response of up to 300 words by email to be considered for publication in our letters section, please click here. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Yorkshire cleared by regulator over £1.75m payment to chief executive’s firm
Regulator investigated fee paid to Sanjay Patel’s company SMP73 Ltd consulted on sale of Northern SuperchargersYorkshire have escaped without charges from the Cricket Regulator after a formal investigation into a £1.75m payment the county made to a company controlled by the club’s chief executive, Sanjay Patel, for work on the sale of the Northern Superchargers Hundred franchise.The Guardian revealed in June that the England and Wales Cricket Board was reviewing the consultancy fee, which related to the £100m sale of the Superchargers to the Sun Group last year, with the matter subsequently referred to the Cricket Regulator for a formal investigation. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Fair pay, service charges and the pressure to tip | Letters
Readers react to an article by Emine Saner about the arrival of US-style tipping culture in British restaurants and barsArticles comparing tipping culture in the UK to that in the US (‘It’s absolutely criminal’: US tipping culture has reached the UK – and is causing chaos, 24 August) do not go into the complication of minimum wage calculation in the US. There, wait staff are paid a low base rate, but employers must ensure their earnings are topped up to at least the minimum wage through tips.As an American who has lived in the UK for 27 years, I have endless discussions with American visiting friends about tipping, and how their example of cultural imperialism has resulted in the distortion of worker value for some of the reasons set out in this article (for example, more attractive people get better tips). The assumption is that people who wait on others don’t have as much money as the tipper, but do we know if this is true? With this logic, should we tip the person who serves us at TK Maxx or Aldi? Continue reading...
cnbc.com
'Grand Theft Auto 6' preview signals blockbuster demand, analysts say
Take-Two shares moved higher in premarket Friday, as analysts said they were bullish on the GTA maker's parent company following a successful trailer launch.
bbc.co.uk
Fed has 'work to do' if price rises don't ease for Americans, Warsh says
Kevin Warsh remarks suggest interest rates could be increased if policymakers think inflation is running too high.
theguardian.com
UK urged to ban imports of Brazilian meat over health concerns
Brazil has failed to prove compliance with EU rules on use of antibiotics in cattle and poultry farmingThe UK’s leading farming organisations and animal health experts have called for an urgent ban on imports of Brazilian meat, in light of concerns over the safety of imports.The National Farmers’ Union in England and its sister organisations in the devolved administrations wrote to the government on Friday warning that public health was at risk. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
This US city only has one supermarket for 45,000 people. New legislation seeks to fix that
Big grocery can use anti-competitive clauses to block other stores from entering a market. Rhode Island is the second state to ban that practiceJeannine Johansen remembers the halcyon days of Woonsocket, Rhode Island, when so many of its steep streets were punctuated by grocery stores: Almacs, A&P, Piggly Wiggly and Star Market. In the blizzard of 1978, “everybody went to Fernandes [Produce] because Stop & Shop was too far, and all the roads were closed, so we had to walk”, said the native Woonsocketer.These days, Woonsocket is down to one full-service supermarket: a solitary Price Rite serving 45,000 residents, 37% of them food insecure, perched at the top of a hill in a strip mall at the edge of the city. A nearby Dollar General offers frozen meat and packaged foods. Locals with cars (18% of Woonsocket residents have no vehicle) might travel farther afield, beyond Woonsocket’s borders, to Shaw’s or Aldi in search of deals. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
BlackBerry lost the phone war. Now it's betting on cars and robots
BlackBerry CEO John Giamatteo joins CNBC's Arjun Kharpal on The Tech Download podcast.
cnbc.com
China’s super-rich fled Singapore. Now they want to come back
Wealthy Chinese are reconsidering Singapore as Beijing’s offshore wealth scrutiny and geopolitical risks make alternatives less attractive.
cnbc.com
Trump’s Greenland fixation puts security at the heart of Iceland’s knife-edge EU vote
Trump’s push to acquire Greenland and growing uncertainty over U.S. security commitments have added a geopolitical dimension to Iceland’s EU debate.
cnbc.com
Marvell shares tumble 6% as outlook underwhelms despite 37% revenue growth
Marvell Technology shares fell Friday despite a second-quarter revenue beat, as its fiscal 2028 outlook failed to meet investors' expectations.
theguardian.com
UK petrol prices hit highest level in almost four years as bank holiday getaway looms
Average cost of petrol reaches 161.6p a litre, while diesel costs average of 183.4p, according to the AAUK petrol prices have hit their highest level since 2022, piling more financial pressure on motorists before the bank holiday weekend.The average cost of petrol has reached 161.6p a litre, while diesel costs an average of 183.4p a litre, according to the AA breakdown company. Continue reading...
theguardian.com
How did Trump get so rich? | Politics Weekly America
Jonathan Freedland speaks to Dan Alexander of Forbes about how Donald Trump made so much money last year at the same time trade wars, military wars and a rising national debt hurt the US economy Continue reading...
theguardian.com
The chefs turning down the heat by switching from gas to electric
As well as being quieter, cheaper to run and easier to clean, induction cookers can cut kitchen temperatures by up to 10CLeaping flames, searing heat, copious sweat and scorchingly inventive swearing – restaurant kitchens are never a place for the faint-hearted, but this summer they have been sweltering in successive heatwaves to a dangerous degree.Some restaurants, cafes and bakeries in the UK grew so hot that they were forced to close, or reduce their hours, for the safety of their staff. There is still no maximum working temperature, despite calls from the TUC, and tens of thousands of kitchen staff are thought to have carried on working in “furnace-like” conditions. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
'Cowboy builders' targeted in new government clampdown
A database of trusted tradespeople and a system to protect customers' money is being launched by the government next month.
bbc.co.uk
Colman's Mustard put up for sale ahead of merger
The sale comes before a proposed merger between parent company Unilever and McCormick.
cnbc.com
Russian forces intensify attacks in Donetsk as Ukraine lauds fresh EU push to unlock frozen assets
Russia claims advances toward Sloviansk and Kramatorsk as fighting intensifies in Donetsk.
bbc.co.uk
'Not far enough' - US parents and teens on Meta's new limits for young users
As part of an $18bn settlement in a child-safety lawsuit, Meta announced new restrictions on its apps. We asked families what they thought.
bbc.co.uk
Sports Direct founder attacks Burnham's 'populist' High Street plans
In a letter, the entrepreneur accuses the prime minister of "jumping on 'everyday fixes' or bandwagons" with his latest cost of living and retail policies.
theguardian.com
How Britain’s railways are struggling in the heat – and can they be fixed?
Problems including derailments have hit network during one of the hottest and driest summers on record Britain’s railways have faced a string of heat-related problems this summer, including a derailment near Lewes in East Sussex two weeks ago that injured 30 people, and another the next day when the rear carriages of a Greater Anglia train derailed “in an upright position” at Wickford railway station in Essex, with no reported injuries.The problems came during one of the hottest and driest summers on record, with a series of heatwaves, and drought declared across large parts of England and Wales. Britain’s railways, built for a cooler, wetter climate, have been put under pressure. Network Rail said the summer had “presented exceptional challenges to the railway”. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
CNBC Daily Open: Waiting for Warsh
Markets await the much-anticipated speech from Federal Reserve Chairman Kevin Warsh amid the recent volatility in bond yields.
theguardian.com
How the Iran war unfolded: every attack and oil price change – visualised
From the first US and Israeli strikes six months ago to the battle for Hormuz, this timeline plots how Trump’s war on Iran quickly became a regional conflict with global economic consequencesOn 28 February 2026, the US and Israel began large-scale strikes on Iran. Tehran responded by attacking Israeli and US allies across the Gulf.Iran’s supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, was killed on the first day of strikes, and the strait of Hormuz – a crucial waterway for transporting oil – was effectively closed soon after. The conflict quickly became a regional war with global economic consequences.Donald Trump: EPA/Trump Vance transition teamUS CENTCOM: APAbbas Araghchi: APEsmail Baqaei: Getty/AnadoluMasoud Pezeshkian: APMohammad Bagher Ghalibaf: Getty/NurPhotoIran flag: Alamy Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Homes for sale with kerb appeal in England and Scotland – in pictures
From the arched windows and decorative chimneys of a Victorian police station to a white seaside cottage highlighted in vivid blue Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Selena Gomez pushes back against 'frivolous' fraud claims
Selena Gomez's lawyer says the fraud case is "absurd" - but it is far from unusual for celebrity family business relationships to go wrong.
bbc.co.uk
What do you spend too much on?
Central London shoppers reveal what they love to splash out on - and share their tips for not overspending.
bbc.co.uk
I used to live in a quiet area - now a data centre overlooks my garden
With the number of UK data centres set to rise, some communities are concerned about their impact.
bbc.co.uk
Matt Lucas and Hugh Bonneville among actors calling for law on AI voice cloning
The performers are asking the government to give every person in the UK a legal right to own their voice.
cnbc.com
Six months into the Iran war: Markets become accustomed to stalemate with no end in sight
The war has far exceeded the four to six weeks the Trump administration estimated it would take to meet its objectives in Iran.
theguardian.com
Dear culture-war motorists, look to the future. We'll all be driving at 20mph soon | Christian Wolmar
There are howls of protest from the right about plans for Birmingham to be a 20mph city. But it will be a good thing, and others will followIf it can happen in Birmingham, it can happen anywhere. Moves by Birmingham city council to impose a 20mph speed limit on all roads, apart from a few major thoroughfares, marks a turning point in transport policy that could and should attract imitators.Remember that in the 60s Birmingham was the city that had a racetrack style networks of roads at its heart, and a tangle of elevated routes and roundabouts that pushed pedestrians underground and ensured no one would be mad enough to try to cycle. Moreover, it was the headquarters of the UK’s car industry, and its roads were designed more as a test track for new models than a way for people to get to the shops. The emphasis on roads above all else was a deliberate strategy by a city that saw its future inextricably bound up with motoring manufacturers. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Mixue shares extend slide after profit drop as ice cream-and-tea chain sees costs rise
Mixue shares extended losses after the Chinese ice cream and tea giant reported lower first-half profit despite higher revenue.
bbc.co.uk
Trump administration illegally retaliated against Anthropic, judge rules
The AI startup has been at loggerheads with the Pentagon over the use of AI by the US military.
cnbc.com
OpenAI rolls out ads on select ChatGPT plans in India to boost monetization, support wider access
Ads have been rolled out for free users and those on the 399 rupee ($4) per month 'Go' plan.
cnbc.com
Judge blocks Pentagon blacklist of Anthropic as supply chain risk
The Defense Department had barred the U.S. military from using Anthropic's Claude in March
cnbc.com
DeepSeek looks for fresh capital as founder’s quant empire navigates China’s choppy IPO market
High-Flyer Quant, which bankrolled DeepSeek, has come to the fore, making a push into new listings as it chases returns in China's red-hot IPO market.
cnbc.com
Trump ratchets up rhetoric against Beijing as U.S.-China officials meet for Xi's Washington visit
U.S. and Chinese officials met in Beijing this week, despite the White House's tough talk on China.
bbc.co.uk
The Interview
Kristina Wilfore on how a ‘Male Grievance Industry’ is defrauding men on social media
bbc.co.uk
Overcooked? Why robotic pizza makers are failing
A string of failures has sapped confidence that robots will take over production at pizza restaurants.
bbc.co.uk
Military veterans told they owe thousands of pounds over clerical error
Hundreds of former UK service personnel have had their pensions cut after being overpaid.
bbc.co.uk
I was spending £700 a month: How I beat my late-night shopping addiction
Younger generations are thought to be more susceptible to impulse spending. The BBC looks at ways to get it under control.
theguardian.com
Burnham announces crackdown on rogue bailiffs and ‘cowboy builders’
New rules are aimed at protecting people in debt in England and Wales and stopping homeowners being ripped offA clampdown on “rogue bailiffs” has been launched by Andy Burnham amid concerns that vulnerable people are being overcharged and face aggressive behaviour.In the latest in a series of “everyday fixes” to ease the cost of living and “make Britain fairer”, the prime minister said he was strengthening the rules that apply to bailiffs in England and Wales to better protect people in debt. Continue reading...
cnbc.com
Nvidia adds more than $400 billion in value after blowout earnings boost AI confidence
Nvidia shares rose on Thursday after the chip giant's revenue guidance reassured investors that AI demand will remain strong.
cnbc.com
U.S. considers fresh round of tariffs on semiconductors, report says
As tech giants race to beat China in the AI infrastructure build-out, the U.S. is reportedly considering enforcing tariffs on semiconductors.
theguardian.com
Rebecca Hendin on Mark Zuckerberg and the Meta court settlement – cartoon
Continue reading...
theguardian.com
Everyone hates datacentres. Do we really need them? - video
AI companies have promised us world-shifting technology. But there’s a cost: loud, unsightly datacentres that drain environmental resources. As the government pushes their rapid growth, can local communities do anything to push back? Madeleine Finlay speaks to the Guardian’s global technology reporter Aisha Down about the backlash to datacentres across the UK and around the world Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
Much-loved ice cream shop to close after 106 years
The family-run shop has been a fixture in Brislington, Bristol since the 1920s.
theguardian.com
Firm fined for hounding elderly people with nuisance calls claiming to stop … nuisance calls
Elderly Aids Ltd, which sells call-blocking devices, made 758,053 cold calls between May 2024 and February 2025A company that made its money promising to protect older people from nuisance calls has been fined £190,000 for “hounding” them with hundreds of thousands of nuisance calls of its own.The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) said Elderly Aids Ltd, a company selling call-blocking devices, made 758,053 cold calls between May 2024 and February 2025 to try to sell its products. Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
The Global Story
The US’s economic pressure could kick-start a global trade conflict
theguardian.com
Drone video shows heat signature of datacenter generators
Drone video shows heat signature of datacenter generators Continue reading...
bbc.co.uk
How Dolly Parton's business savvy helped her succeed far beyond the charts
While country music and films brought her fame, her entrepreneurial zeal brought her fortune.
bbc.co.uk
Business Daily
Evergrande was at the heart of China’s property boom, and its dramatic collapse
bbc.co.uk
Firms scramble for battery power in Spain and Portugal
After last year's massive power failure Spanish and Portuguese firms are buying battery back ups.
bbc.co.uk
Drought leaves 'barely any apples' to make cider
Some orchards are harvesting just a 10th of their usual crop, and facing an uncertain future.
bbc.co.uk
'What you see is what you pay' - why some US restaurants are banning tips
Tips are central to US dining culture but some eateries think that they are unfair.
bbc.co.uk
How landscape gardening is being electrified
The switch to quieter electric equipment is not going as fast as some would like.
bbc.co.uk
Why the UK is dithering over what to do about e-scooters
Why is it taking so long for the government to regulate them, and what are the consequences of delay?
bbc.co.uk
Why Gen Z are planning for life without a state pension
Many younger people do not believe the state pension will exist when they are older
bbc.co.uk
The furious dispute over what caused Air India flight 171 to crash
The final conclusions of the investigation have yet to be published, although more could become apparent in the coming days.
bbc.co.uk
How the High Street became a window on our political instability
High Streets have declined in recent years. What does this tell us about the UK?
bbc.co.uk
The £5 coffee that tells a story of global economic turmoil
Coffees at some city centre outlets now cost £5. It's a story of tariffs, the climate, Gen Z cultural tastes, and savvy coffee farmers playing the market, writes Faisal Islam
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